The Risk of Melanoma due to Exposure to Sun and Solarium Use in Poland: A Large-Scale, Hospital Based Case - Control Study

OBJECTIVE: The incidence of skin cancer is constantly growing, it is considered a serious problem of public health. Most cases of skin cancer are caused by a combination of non-modifiable genetic, and modifiable environmental risk factors. The study objective was to analyse the correlation between pigmentation traits, excessive sunlight exposure, solarium use and the risk of melanoma development. METHODS: The study included 480 patients diagnosed with melanoma and 400 within the control group. Subjects diagnosed with the melanoma confirmed by histopathology were invited to take part in the study. The research was based on a clinical, direct, individual, structured, in-depth and focused interview. RESULTS: The mean age of the study subjects was 44.3 ± 7.86, while in the control group 59.5 (7.93) Most frequently, melanoma was located on the upper extremities (64%). A family history of neoplastic diseases was found in 55% of the patients. The assessment of sunburns showed that only 15% of the respondents never experienced sunburn, 49% of the study subjects never used solarium. Among patients with multiple sunburns, the risk of developing skin cancer was 1.27 (AOR = 1,27; 95% CI, 1.07-1.55) compared with non-sunburns subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Risky behaviours including excessive exposure to UV radiation, both natural and artificial, are of special significance in women with fair complexion and fair hair. Indoor tanning is a probable factor of increased skin cancer incidence in younger women, as compared to men.